Disseminated CandidiasisNewer Approaches to Early Recognition and Treatment

From the Department of Medicine, Divisions of Dermatology (Dr Jacobs) and Hematology-Oncology (Dr Jarowski), and the Department of Pathology (Dr Magid), The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York.

• The clinical triad of fever, erythematous papular rash, and diffuse muscle tenderness has recently been reported to be presumptive evidence for disseminated candidiasis in the immunocompromised host who is receiving broadspectrum antibiotics. This case report further explores this clinical association and demonstrates that the immediate institution of antifungal therapy before laboratory test results are known may favorably alter the outcome of this frequently fatal condition. In view of the low positive yield of blood cultures, skin biopsy may represent an effective method for achieving rapid laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis.